Railway strike enters 7th day

The strike action launched by several railway trade unions continued for the seventh day despite President Maithripala Sirisena requesting all strikers to report back to work.

Several Railway Trade Unions launched a strike action midnight,last Wednesday (December 6) based on several demands.

RTUA co-convener Lal Ariyaratne said none of the government officials had intervened in resolving this matter and were only determined to continue the work stoppage.

Meanwhile the period for the strikers to report back to work terminates today, Railway Additional Operations General Manager Vijaya Samarasinghe announced.

Striking railway unions yesterday said that a decision will be taken on whether strike is to continue or not after talks with ministerial committee today morning (13).

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday (12) requested all striking railway trade unions to return to work considering the inconvenience caused to Ordinary Level students who are sitting for the examination from yesterday onwards.

The President made a request from the railway trade unions to call off the strike as many children will be affected by the strike action.

A four-member Ministerial Committee chaired by Minister Sarath Amunugama was appointed earlier yesterday to evaluate and address the demands made by the Railway Trade Unions that have gone on strike for the past few days.

Heads of the Railway Trade Unions that are currently on strike stated that they hope that the cabinet will provide a favourable response to the demands made by them that includes a revision of their current remuneration schemes.

Secretary of the Railway Drivers Association Indika Dodangoda stated that the railway strike will continue until the government provides a resolution that is acceptable.

Meanwhile, members of seven railway trade unions have withdrawn from the strike action despite opposition from union heads,it is reported.